I’m not bothered about pleasing people — Ilebaye Odiniya, BBN All-Stars winner

Background

I studied Criminology and Security Studies, and I graduated in 2020. I am from a family of five, and I am grateful for where I am right now.

Big Brother Naija

When I got a call from Big Brother to participate in the Big Brother Naija (All Stars edition), I was excited. I don’t think there is anyone in their right senses that would decline such a wonderful opportunity.

I was excited to get the opportunity. I saw it as a second chance for me, because I took part in the Level Up season (2022), and I spent just three weeks on the show. I was not happy about that, but I felt God was preparing me for the journey ahead of me, and I accepted it.

I went into the house with the notion that people should believe in who I am, and also to showcase my talent and other things.

Toxicity

As regards former housemates saying that the BBN house was toxic, I will say that for one to go into the house, one has to be mentally okay and ready for whatever happens after the competition.

As far as I am concerned though, I feel it has to with the person involved. I don’t think the house was toxic. If anybody makes it toxic, then it is fine. It is the housemates who are in the house that determine whether it is good or toxic.

Victimisation

When Ike Onyema (a fellow ex-housemate) threw my clothes on the floor during the show, I would have still controlled my temper even if I was not on the show.

I would have asked him what I had done wrong to him that made him do such a thing to me. It was horrible for him to hurt me like he did, because I did not do anything to him. Now that the show has ended, we are on good terms. I have forgiven him.

Comparison

If I were to compare my experience during the Level Up edition and the All Starsedition, the major difference is that in the Level Up edition, I spent three weeks in the house, but I won the All Stars edition. That is what sets them apart. However, there wasn’t much difference in my experiences in both seasons.

Challenges

The fact that I got to meet other people, and I was the youngest in the house was challenging for me. I could not really adapt to their mentality (way of thinking), because they were all mature. So, whenever I spoke, they could not really understand where I was coming from. I was misunderstood a lot. Trying to understand them and see where they were coming from was quite challenging.

Friends

The ex-BBN housemate I am closest to is Doyin.

Memories

My most memorable moments on the show include when I won the grand prize, doing the arena tasks, and talking to Big Brother.Those were literally the best things, and I enjoyed them.

Also, the Saturday night parties, meeting new people, and trying to socialise, were memorable moments for me.